From Arsenal to the Ball God

Chapter 35: Chapter 35: New Manager Takes Charge! Fresh Lineup, Double Debut Starters!!

”Sheffield United dismiss Kevin Blackwell! English football’s living fossil Garrispeed takes over!” — ”English 4-4-2 Formation”

”Garrispeed is about to begin his first managerial tenure, worth mentioning, he’s also a registered player for the team he coaches, Sheffield United.” — ”The Guardian”

”After three rounds of the new season, Sheffield United has only secured 3 points. Garrispeed’s primary pressure is to complete the mission of avoiding relegation!” — ”Sky Sports”

”The two young talents from Arsenal performed excellently in their debut during the second round of the league. With the new coach taking over, they might immediately become Garrispeed’s direct players and secure their positions as starters!” — ”Sheffield Paper”

The next day, news about Kevin stepping down and Garrispeed taking over caused quite a stir throughout the entire English football.

Most English football fans are very familiar with Garrispeed and are looking forward to his performance on his first stop as a coach after retirement.

”Speed’s personality is very suited for being a coach; he just stepped down from the playing field, and now he’s back in a different role, which is a nice thing.”

”Hasn’t he already been an assistant coach for a while?”

”Is that the same? Did you pay attention when he was an assistant coach? It’s only now, as he steps in as the head coach, that people start to focus on him again.”

”I’ve always been searching for news about him.”

It’s fair to say that this legendary figure, who started his player career as a genius in 1988, has always had quite a following in English football.

His appointment will certainly attract more attention to Sheffield United, affecting all aspects of the team, down to each player.

While other neutral fans were discussing Garrispeed.

The fans of Sheffield United were more concerned about the team’s future results and Garrispeed’s use of personnel.

”Even though the nickname ’Blades’ wasn’t originally coined to describe the sharpness of the team.

”But the nickname has survived to this day; to certain extent, it represents the team’s playing style, which is attack!”

”Agreed! Including the English League Cup, in the new season’s four matches, the team scored 3 goals and conceded 8!”

”Let’s not talk about conceding goals for the moment, but such attacking power makes it hard to see hope for the future.”

”Change formation! Reshuffle the lineup, replace those who are active in name only!”

”Like many, I’m eagerly waiting for the day those two highly talented Arsenal lads make their appearance, but I don’t understand why Kevin didn’t give them any time in the third round of the league?”

”It’s not urgent, just look at the news from Sheffield Paper; they somehow represent the club’s official standpoint.”

”Hopefully, those two lads left a strong impression on me; I hope to see them at this week’s home match.”

Ma’el and Gilbert’s names were mentioned again, their stunning performance in the last league match left a deep impression on many.

This sort of thing can’t be erased; they’ve already gained favor from quite a few fans.

......

August 27th, just a day away from the fourth round of the Championship.

At the training ground, Ma’el finished his morning training and headed to the team canteen for lunch.

Tomorrow is his first home match-day since joining Sheffield United; he didn’t train too heavily today, ensuring his physical condition.

[Skills: Running Level 1]

[Skill Level: (42/300)]

[Skills: Balance Level 1]

[Skill Level: (31/300)]

The skills in speed and coordination have been developed, both initial names for these physical skills have a certain ’disposable’ taste, but it doesn’t affect anything.

”Level 1 skills improve quickly in proficiency.”

Ma’el made a simple calculation, feeling assured, ”By mid-next month, both skills should reach Level 2.”

The new skill training in recent days made him feel somewhat numb from training his body, especially following the power training.

Every time it reaches this point, he wants to add a technical skill, adding interest to the training.

Though it’s all training... It’s all very tedious, but there are different levels of tedium, and one must learn to find joy in hardship.

If not for his strong adaptability, he would have long been unable to hold on; these days are really not easy.

After considering, Ma’el set his sights on improving his long-shot ability, aiming to enhance his immediate combat power.

He plans to train on three fronts!

Striving to reach Level 3 with both physical skills, also pushing his long-shot ability to Level 4, truly giving him an outstanding characteristic!

By then, the enhancement in fighting capabilities might renew him completely.

”Fan count surpassed three thousand.”

While eating, Ma’el took time to check his Facebook, noticing a decent increase in the number of recent followers, likely related to Garrispeed’s appointment.

He opened the private message section, seeing a variety of messages.

Some were encouraging praise, some asked why he didn’t play in the last league match, inquired about internal conflicts... messages leaving addresses for photo shoots, and an endorsement invitation from a Sheffield local fan bar.

”Endorsement invitation?”

This intrigued Ma’el; he browsed the photo shoot section in the private messages, puzzled as to why he received such an invitation after playing only one match.

Pa!

He suddenly slapped his forehead, closed the photo shoot section, and opened the endorsement invitation section.

It seems they invited him to provide signed photos, signed scarves, and sign suitable materials on bottles and glasses, and post on Facebook to invite fans for participation.

Post-tax remuneration of 2000 pounds, with tax fees covered by the bar.

”Not bad.”

Ma’el didn’t mind the small amount, planning to check it out after the new round of the league ends; it’s the first time he’s received such an invitation.

......

Nighttime, inside the meeting room of the training base.

Garrispeed stood before a tactics board, arranging tactics while preparing to announce the starting lineup.

His relationship with the players was harmonious; unlike Kevin, no need to announce the list and starters via phone, just direct announcement on site suffices.

”Directly employing 4-4-2, it’s a bold attempt.”

Garrispeed fiddled with the pieces on the tactical board, explaining: ”But we must make changes; there’s no time for adaptation.

”Just like in recent training, while attacking, our formation is traditional English 4-4-2, but on defense, I need a forward to drop back to join the midfield line, and a midfielder to drop back to defensive midfielder position.

”This is basically a fallback formation, 4-1-4-1, which can prevent the shortage of personnel in the central midfield position of the 4-4-2 formation.”

Ma’el and Gilbert sat together, their eyes clear and bright; this style indeed was traditional and balanced, much favored by English coaches.

Nothing wrong with it; formations themselves have no obvious strengths or weaknesses, suitability is most important.

A team’s fighting spirit, players’ tactical and technical level, individual abilities, as well as the coach’s ability to adjust on-site and analyze opponents, are keys to a match.

”Starting lineup.”

After detailing some arrangements, Garrispeed glanced at the players below, picked up a pen, began writing names on the tactics board, and said: ”Forward Evans, Bunodarovich.”

The announcement of the second name caused a minor stir in the meeting room.

Bunodarovich, a tall center-forward, hadn’t been utilized before.

Seems like Garrispeed indeed intends to reshuffle the team.

”Left midfield...”

At this point, he announced a position, causing several players to look at him nervously.

Whether it’s Ma’el or Mark Yates, it determines some of Garrispeed’s decisions and positions.

”Ma’el!”

Garrispeed succinctly wrote the name, not wasting words, directly moving on to other names, ”Midfield Janu, Gilbert, right midfield Ward.”

All starting!

Ma’el and Gilbert’s expressions lit up, and their legs subtly bumped under the table, they finally reached a turning point.

Evans and Janu et al. also cast congratulatory looks, apparently welcoming such situations, they indeed have a broader view.

”Defensive line from left to right, Carl Wei, Steven, Chris Morgan, Luton. Goalkeeper Robert.”

After announcing the complete list, Garrispeed closed the tactics board, revealing the names of 7 substitute players on the back, ”Tomorrow evening, against Preston, expect you to end the opening month with the best conclusion through victory!”

”Come on guys, good luck!!”

”Let’s go! Good luck!!” A wave of encouragement echoed in the meeting room, many began clapping, visibly boosting the whole team’s morale.